m 


M. 


it  iM 


UfflTEESITT  OF  MICHIGAN. 


A MEMORIAL  DISCOURSE 


LIFE  ^JSTJD  SERVICES 


Alonzo  Benjamin  Palmer,  K D.,  LL.  D., 


Professor  in  the  University  from  1852  to  1887;  Dean  of  the  Department  of 
Medicine  and  Surgery. 


Delivered  in  University  Hall,  by  request  of  tlqe  Senate,  Aprii  d'.'l 

BY 

Ooz^ttidoilt  I_i.  Fobid,  “MI.  HD.,  XjZj-  ZD. 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  UNIVERSITY, 


1QQ8. 


* 


TOTIYEESITY  OF  MICHIGAN 


A MEMORIAL  DISCOURSE 


ON  THE 


LIFE  EEISTID  SEEVIOES 


OF 


Alonzo  Benjamin  Palmer,  1.  D.,  LL.  D., 

Professor  in  the  University  from  1852  to  1887;  Dean  of  the  Department  of 
Medicine  and  Surgery. 


Delivered  in  University  Hall,  by  request  of  tlqe  Senate,  April  8.  1888, 


Coetdon  I_i_  IXoirid,  XX-  ID.,  X-jX-j-  XD. 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  UNIVERSITY, 


lees. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/memorialdiscoursOOford 


Proceedings  of  the  ITniyersity  Senate. 


On  the  death  of  Or.  Palmer,  the  President  called  a special 
meeting  of  the  University  Senate.  The  meeting  was  held  in 
the  President’s  room  on  the  afternoon  of  December  26,  1887. 
A tribute  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Palmer,  prepared  by  a com- 
mittee of  the  Senate,  was  adopted  and  ordered  to  be  entered  on 
the  records.  The  Secretary  was  directed  to  transmit  a copy  of 
this  tribute  to  Mrs.  Palmer,  and  to  furnish  the  press  with  copies 
for  publication.  Preliminary  arrangements  were  also  made  at 
this  meeting  for  the  delivery  of  a memorial  address. 

The  following  is  a copy  of  the  memorial  tribute,  taken 
from  the  Senate  records  : 

Professor  Alonzo  B.  Palmer,  M.  D.,  LL.  D:,  Professor  of  Pathol- 
ogy and  the  Theory  and  Practice  of  Medicine  in  the  Department  of 
Medicine  and  Surgery  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  died  at  liis  resi- 
dence in  this  city,  on  Friday,  the  23rd  of  December,  1887,  in  the  sev- 
enty-third year  of  his  age. 

To  the  majority  of  people,  even  his  acquaintances  and  intimate 
friends,  this  event  was  wholly  unanticipated  until  within  a few  hours  of 
his  decease,  but  to  the  practiced  medical  observer  it  had  been  for  more 
than  a year  apparent  that  Dr.  Palmer  was  slowly  failing  in  physical 
strength  and  vigor,  and,  for  some  months  past,  disease  had  stamped  itself 
upon  his  features  in  such  a manner — impossible  to  describe  in  words,  and 
incapable  of  recognition  or  interpretation  except  by  the  observant  phy- 
sician—as  to  indicate  that  it  was  organic  in  its  nature,  and  would  soon 
terminate  his  life. 

For  a long  time  he  had  a constant  and  overwhelming  dread  of 
becoming  incapacitated  for  active  work  by  the  infirmities  incident  to 
advanced  age,  and  therefore  relegated  to  a life  of  inactivity  in  which  he 
would  be  a mere  incumbrance  and  burden  upon  others,  and  where  he 
would  be  compelled,  with  regretful  eyes,  to  look  upon  some  younger  and 
more  active  laborer  taking  up  the  line  of  work  which  had  been  his  life  s 
duty  and  pleasure.  His  wishes  and  his  prayer  were  that  ne  might  be 
spared  this  infliction.  And  so,  with  entire  propriety,  we  may  esteem  it 
a subject  for  rejoicing,  rather  than  for  mourning,  that  his  desires  in  this 


4 


Senate  Proceedings. 


respect  were  not  disappointed ; for,  while  he  was  still  in  the  active  dis- 
charge of  full  duty,  “ God’s  finger  touched  him  and  he  died.” 

Dr.  Palmer  was  associated  with  the  University  for  more  than 
thirty-five  years.  In  1852  he  was  appointed  Professor  of  Anatomy ; in 
1854  he  was  transferred  to  the  mixed  chair  of  Materia  Medica  and  Ther- 
apeutics and  the  Diseases  of  Women  and  Children.  And  again,  in  1860, 
he  was  assigned  to  the  Professorship  of  Pathology  and  the  Theory  and 
Practice  of  Medicine,  which  position  he  held  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death. 

During  this  long  service — which  almost  covers  the  life  history  of 
the  Department  of  Medicine  and  Surgery, — and  engaged  as  he  was  in 
teaching  therein  several  branches  of  medicine, — he  had  a large  influence 
in  shaping  the  general  policy  of  the  Medical  Department,  and  contributed 
very  materially  to  its  unbroken  success;  and  it  was  his  rare  good  fortune 
to  see  the  College  which  had  started  as  a feeble  organization,  limited  in 
patronage  and  weak  in  influence  and  power,  steadily  develop  into  one 
of  the  largest  and  most  prominent  medical  colleges  of  the  country,  and 
to  realize  that  he  could,  with  strict  justice,  assume  to  himself  no  little 
credit  for  his  efforts  in  contributing  to  this  end. 

His  success  and  his  reputation  as  a teacher  were  not  limited  to  the 
bounds  of  our  own  University,  and  he  was  tendered  appointments  in 
other  institutions.  The  arrangement  of  the  annual  term  of  lectures  in 
the  Medical  Department  was  then  such  that  a portion  of  each  year  was 
unoccupied  in  his  professional  work  here,  and  he  therefore,  in  1863, 
accepted  an  appointment  to  the  same  chair  which  he  filled  here,  in  the 
flourishing  Berkshire  Medical  College,  at  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  and 
in  1869  a similar  position  in  the  Medical  Department  of  Bowdoin  Col- 
lege, at  Brunswick,  Maine. 

These  engagements  were  terminated — at  Pittsfield  by  the  gradual 
decline  and  ultimate  dissolution  of  the  Berkshire  school,  and  at  Bowdoin 
College  by  the  adoption  in  our  own  University,  in  1877,  of  the  graded 
system  of  medical  education,  and  the  extension  of  the  lecture  term  to 
the  full  collegiate  year  of  nine  months,  which  necessitated  his  continued 
residence  here. 

Dr.  Palmer’s  devotion  to  teaching  was  remarkable ; it  was  not 
simply  a duty,  nor  was  it  a labor  perfunctorily  gone  through  with  in 
obedience  to  the  requirements  of  the  position  he  occupied,  but  it  was 
the  inspiration  and  the  chief  pleasure  of  his  life.  Actuated  by  those 
motives,  it  creates  no  surprise  to  know  that  his  fondness  for  the  lecture 
room  was  something  phenomenal.  And  so,  whenever  from  illness  or 
other  exigency,  a colleague  was  temporarily  absent,  he  was  ever  ready 
and  glad  to  step  in  and  fill  the  hour,  as  it  enlarged  his  opportunity  for 
engaging  in  his  favorite  work. 

In  the  different  colleges  in  which  he  was  engaged,  it  is  probable 
that  from  eight  thousand  to  ten  thousand  students  have  sat  under  his 
teachings.  The  large  majority  of  them  entered  into  practice,  and  it  is 
simply  impossible  to  estimate  the  influence  which  our  late  colleague 


Senate  Pjroceedings. 


5 


must  have  exercised  upon  the  working  members  of  the  medical  profes- 
sion in  this  country,  and  it  is  simply  appalling  to  think  of  the  limitless 
disaster  that  must  come  from  one  not  governed  by  high  and  manly 
motives,  and  pure  and  elevating  principles,  in  association  with  such  a 
large  number  of  young  men.  But  there  can  be  no  doubt  on  this  score 
in  Dr.  Palmer’s  career,  for  he  was  pre-eminently  a man  of  principle. 
His  Christian  life  and  character  were  beautiful  and  elevating  in  effect, 
and  they  were  known  and  read  by  every  one  who  came  into  association 
with  him. 

Outside  of  his  chief  work  as  a teacher,  his  fixed  principles  led  him  to 
other  efforts  at  doing  good.  He  was  a stern  and  uncompromising  oppo- 
nent of  the  use  of  alcoholic  or  other  stimulating  or  narcotic  agents.  His 
devotion  to  fixed  convictions  of  duty  in  these  matters  was  firm  and  con- 
stant, and  so  he  was  always  found  in  the  front  rank  of  the  workers  for 
reform,  urging  with  all  his  strength  others  to  join  in  the  work,  and 
encouraging  by  his  advice,  his  personal  example,  and  his  aid  in  support- 
ing organizations  formed  for  such  purposes.  No  one  for  an  instant 
could  question  his  sincerity  and  his  honesty  of  views,  and,  while  they 
may  not  always  have  carried  conviction,  they  invariably  commanded 
respect  for  the  advocate,  and  admiration  for  his  devotion  to  principle. 
This  mental  characteristic  led  him  to  an  earnest  opposition  to  what  he 
deemed  erroneous  views  in  ethics,  in  science,  or  in  medicine. 

In  the  literature  of  medicine  Dr.  Palmer  contributed  many  fugi- 
tive essays  of  interest  and  value.  Beside  these,  he  published  Lectures  on 
Homoeopathy  in  permanent  book  form,  and  a text-book  for  schools 
entitled  Temperance  Teachings  of  Science , which  has  had  a wide  circula- 
tion. As  the  crowning  work  of  his  life  he  published  in  two  large  octavo 
volumes  a complete  treatise  on  The  Science  and  Practice  of  Medicine. 
In  preparation  for  this  work  he  was  many  years  collecting  materials, 
and  just  previous  to  the  immediate  work  of  composition  he  spent  over 
a year  in  Europe  in  the  colleges  and  hospitals,  to  avail  himself  of  the 
most  recent  advances  in  medical  science  and  art.  It  will  remain  a 
monument  to  his  industry,  his  ability,  and  his  devotion  to  duty,  and  his 
intense  desire  to  aid  in  the  advance  of  the  study  and  work  of  his  life  — 
practical  medicine. 

The  esteem  in  which  his  ability  and  attainments  were  held  by  his 
brethren  in  the  profession,  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  in  the  Interna- 
tional Medical  Congress,  which  recently  met  at  Washington,  he  occupied 
the  important  position  of  Chairman  of  the  Section  of  Pathology,  and  in 
that  capacity  gave  an  address  in  the  general  session  of  the  Congress ; 
and  in  the  American  Medical  Association  he  held  at  the  time  of  his 
death  the  office  of  Chairman  of  the  Section  on  the  Practice  of  Medicine. 

The  members  of  the  University  Senate,  with  a profound  sense  of 
the  loss  which  they  have  suffered  in  the  decease  of  their  venerable  and 
eminent  colleague,  desire  to  express  their  deep  and  tender  sympathy 
with  his  bereaved  wife. 


I 


* 


ALONZO  BENJAMIN  PALMER. 


.A.  MEMORIAL  ADDRESS, 

BY 

PROFESSOR  CORYDOH  L.  FORD,  M.  D.,  LL.  D. 


In  complying  with  a request  to  speak  at  a memorial  ser- 
vice held  as  a tribute  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Palmer,  who  has 
been  identified  with  this  University  longer  than  any  man, 
except  the  late  venerable  Dr.  Williams,  I am  called  to  a duty 
which  I never  thought  possible,  for  we  always  looked  upon 
him  as  physically  the  model  man  of  the  Faculty,  destined  to 
out-work  and  out-last  all  his  colleagues ; and  the  blow  came 
with  a sudden  surprise,  not  looked  for  by  any  of  his  friends 
and  daily  associates,  except,  perhaps,  a very  fewT,  whose  pro- 
fessional eye  saw  danger  in  the  less  elastic  step  and  paling  face. 

Had  I anticipated  any  such  sad  duty,  I could  easily  have 
known  more  of  his  early  life  than  it  is  possible  now  to  obtain. 
Happily  anything  associated  with  his  youthful  days  is  of  less 
importance,  and  possesses  less  interest  for  those  gathered  here, 
than  what  he  was  and  what  he  did  as  a man  occupying  an 
honorable  and  responsible  position  before  the  public. 

Dr.  Palmer’s  ancestors  were  from  Hew  England,  which 
freely  contributed  earnest  and  enterprising  families  to  eastern 
and  central  Hew  York,  whose  influence  in  making  Hew  Y~ork 
what  it  is,  needs  no  mention  here. 


8 


Memorial  Address. 


Dr.  Alonzo  Benjamin  Palmer  was  born  in  Richfield, 
Otsego  County,  New  York,  on  the  6th  day  of  October,  1815, 
and  died  in  the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age,  on  December 
23,  1887. 

He  had  by  inheritance  a good  constitution,  which  served 
him  so  well  that,  by  rational  regard  to  the  laws  of  health, 
which  have  been  his  life  study,  he  attained  and  enjoyed  a vig- 
orous manhood,  and  reached  the  allotted  period  of  human  life, 
with  an  apparent  vigor  that  promised  yet  many  years  of  active 
usefulness.  It  is  now  known  that  for  sometime  he  had  recog- 
nized the  quiet  progress  of  a disease  that  disappointed  our 
expectations  that  he  might  reach  his  four  score  years. 

In  youth  he  had  the  advantages  of  such  schools  as  then 
were  general  in  that  State — the  common  schools  and  acade- 
mies— and,  like  so  many  of  the  public  men  now  passing  away, 
he  had  not  the  benefit  of  a college  education,  which  fact  may 
be  a matter  of  encouragement  to  others  with  similar  disad- 
vantages. 

Lacking  the  results  of  a thorough  college  training,  still, 
by  perseverance,  prompted  by  an  honorable  ambition,  he 
devoted  himself  so  earnestly  to  his  profession  and  to  general 
culture,  that  he  became,  as  we  all  know,  such  a proficient  as 
to  do  credit  by  his  scholarship  as  well  as  by  his  professional 
attainments  to  the  profession  which  he  has  adorned.  In  rec- 
ognition of  this  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  was  conferred 
upon  him  some  thirty  years  ago,  and  in  1881  the  University 
which  he  has  honored  for  more  than  thirty  years  honored  him 
by  conferring  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws. 

In  January,  1839,  he  graduated  at  the  College  of  Phy- 
sicians and  Surgeons  of  the  Western  District  of  New  York, 
located  in  Fairfield,  Herkimer  County. 

Michigan  had  recently  become  a State  and  the  movement 
of  the  young  and  enterprising  was  westward.  Going  west  in 
those  days  was  a very  different  matter  from  what  it  is  at  pres- 
ent, when  railroads,  to  a large  extent,  precede  and  carry  the 
new  settler. 


Memorial  Address. 


9 


We  next  hear  of  our  young  M.  D.  at  Tecumseh,  where 
he  has  opened  an  office  and  is  duly  heralded  as  the  “new  doc- 
tor.” What  circumstances  induced  him  to  locate  there  I have 
no  means  of  ascertaining.  It  is  enough  that  the  new  country 
and  the  coming  people  needed  doctors,  and  this  pleasant  loca- 
tion and  prospective  village  prompted  him  to  cast  his  lot 
among  them. 

We  may  reasonably  believe  that  the  active  life  of  the  next 
ten  years  had  an  important  influence  in  confirming  the  vigor- 
ous health  that  characterized  the  man  for  most  of  the  ensuing 
fifty  years;  for  his  has  been  an  example  of  remarkable  vigor 
up  to  the  three  score  years  and  ten. 

Knowing  the  traveling  facilities  and  infelicities  in  Michi- 
gan nearly  fifty  years  ago,  it  is  easy,  in  imagination,  to  recog- 
nize our  recent  graduate  mounting  his  horse,  with  the  tradi- 
tional saddle  bags  of  former  days  astride  the  saddle  and  kept 
in  position  by  the  weight  of  the  owner.  He  is  summoned  to 
the  relief  of  some  unfortunate  victim  of  accident  or  disease, 
and  with  the  energy  characteristic  of  the  man  he  proceeds 
with  due  celerity  to  the  scene  of  his  trial  and  his  triumph. 

With  youthful  vigor  and  enterprise  he  is  breasting  the 
storms  of  winter  and  braving  the  heat  of  summer,  earnestly 
intent  on  the  errand  of  his  chosen  profession — to  relieve 
human  suffering,  to  ward  off*  disease,  to  stay  the  ebbing  sands 
of  life,  to  hurry  back  to  health  and  usefulness  the  victim  of 
accident  or  misfortune.  Whether  the  message  come  by  night 
or  by  day,  he  is  ready.  He  does  not  stop  to  enquire  who  will 
pay  the  bills.  It  is  enough  that  human  suffering  seeks  relief, 
that  some  unfortunate  one  asks  the  benefit,  the  blessing  of  the 
skill  he  is  supposed  to  possess.  In  many  a place  where  he 
must  find  the  cabin  of  the  new  comer  to  the  “wilds  of 
Michigan,”  no  carriage  can  convey  the  coming  messen- 
ger of  relief.  He  soon  learns  the  highways  and  the  by- 
ways, and  goes  alike  by  the  one  or  the  other,  where  the  sum- 
mons commands.  Nor  does  he  play  the  drone  in  going.  The 
messenger  of  mercy  regards  the  cry  of  anguish  and  hastens 


10 


Memorial  Address. 


with  relief.  Year  by  year  lie  is  the  servant  of  the  sufferer  by 
the  unsanitary  conditions  of  this  new  country.  He  learns  to 
arrest  the  progress  of  disease,  to-  turn  the  tide  and  bid  return 
the  bloom  of  health  to  the  victim  of  malaria. 

But  let  us  go  to  this  young  Doctor’s  office.  What  shall 
we  find,  and  what  shall  we  miss  in  our  search?  We  shall  find 
books — professional  books  — books  that  give  evidence  of  hav- 
ing been  used.  We  shall  miss  all  evidences  of  mental  or 
moral  dissipation.  We  shall  miss  all  evidence  that  it  is  the 
resort  of  such  as  have  too  much  leisure  on  hand,  and  want  a 
place  and  a man  to  help  them  kill  time. 

We  are  dealing  with  a man  of  leisure,  because  a man  of 
system.  And  what  did  he  do  with  his  leisure?  The  first 
broken  limb  demanding  his  attention  furnished  the  occasion 
for  carefully  reviewing  in  his  library  the  best  methods  of  deal- 
ing with  the  case  that  comes  to  him  for  consideration,  and  so 
different  from  his  anticipations.  The  first  dislocation  does  not 
conform  in  appearance  to  what  he  remembers,  and  now  lie 
studies  the  subject  with  an  interest  quite  different  from  that 
of  the  time  when  his  professor  described  it  in  the  lecture  room. 

And  so  of  the  cases  of  fever,  or  colic,  or  pneumonia. 
Hitherto  he  has  studied  books,  now  he  studies  disease.  He 
compares  the  teaching  of  books  and  professors  with  the  teach- 
ings of  disease.  He  sees  disease  in  a different  light.  His 
knowledge  is  increased,  and  the  more  he  knows  the  more 
clearly  does  he  appreciate  the  magnitude  of  the  unknown. 

Thus  years  passed.  He  has  visited  nearly  every  house 
and  family  within  a radius  of  many  miles.  He  can  remember 
the  places  and  the  occasions  of  the  crushing  anxiety  and 
responsibility  that  oppressed  him,  as  he  saw  the  healer’s  art 
was  vain;  and  he  recalls,  with  lasting  pleasure  and  delight,  the 
results  of  devotion  and  skill  that  turned  the  tide  of  disease, 
and  saved  that  mother,  who  seemed  about  to  enter  the 
unknown  land,  and  gave  to  a helpless  family  a guardian  angel. 
Thus  passed  several  years  of  a busy  and  useful  life.  He  was 
prized,  respected,  and  honored.  He  had  the  love,  the  high 


Memorial  Address. 


11 

regard,  and  lasting  gratitude  of  those  hundreds,  I may  say 
thousands,  to  whom  in  time  of  agony  and  anguish  he  was  a 
messenger  of  relief.  He  was  true  to  humanity,  true  to  their 
needs.  He  was  the  model  man,  the  model  physician.  He 
honored  the  profession,  he  honored  himself,  and  he  honored 
his  God. 

The  much  that  he  had  learned  increased  his  desire  to  know 
more.  After  these  eight  or  nine  years  of  practice  where  he 
first  located,  he  decided  to  profit  by  the  opportunities  of  a 
large  city,  with  ample  hospitals ; to  see  disease  in  variety  and 
in  circumstances  not  possible  in  an  ordinary  country  practice. 

So,  in  the  winters  of  1847-8  and  1848-9,  Dr.  Palmer 
spent  several  months  in  attendance  upon  lectures  and  in  hos- 
pitals, doubtless  in  anticipation  of  an  enlarged  sphere  of 
usefulness,  and  better  to  qualify  him  for  any  position  that 
might  open  before  him.  Those  were  profitable  months  and 
his  career  for  the  almost  forty  years  that  followed  has  been 
largely  influenced  by  such  opportunities. 

In  these  ten  years  Dr.  Palmer  has  seen  disease,  has  stud-  * 
ied  disease,  has  mingled  with  physicians  of  wider  experience 
and  in  more  exalted  position,  as  the  world  estimates  station. 
His  ambition  is  stirred,  he  desires  a larger  field,  and  the 
stimulus  of  association  with  more  men  in  kindred  pursuits. 

The  great  and  growing  city  of  Chicago  tempts  him,  and 
he  decides  to  give  up  the  comparative  quiet  of  a country  prac- 
tice and  engage  in  the  bustle  and  tussle  of  business  in  that 
city  of  excitement.  Accordingly,  in  1850,  he  enters  Chicago 
and  boldly  strikes  for  his  share  of  the  work  to  be  done  in  the 
healing  art. 

For  two  years  he  was  associated  with  Dr.  N.  S.  Davis,  in 
general  practice,  and  in  1852  he  was  appointed  City  Phy- 
sician, and  was  the  official  medical  adviser  of  the  health  officer 
of  the  city.  In  that  capacity  he  had  a large  experience  in 
caring  for  those  who  suffered  from  cholera  during  the  fearful 
epidemic.  From  the  official  report  which  he  made  of  its 
severity  and  extent,  and  his  pains  in  investigating  the  inception 


12 


Memorial  Address. 


and  progress  of  the  disease,  it  is  evident,  that  with  character- 
istic energy  and  fidelity  4 he  devoted  himself  to  .the  care  of  the 
unfortunate  victims  of  a disease,  then  much  more  alarming 
and  fatal  in  its  attacks  than  at  a later  period;  for  at  that  time 
the  condition  of  the  city  was  favorable  in  many  respects  for 
the  terrific  ravages  which  marked  its  progress. 

Dr.  Palmer’s  careful  observation  and  large  experience 
during  the  three  years  devoted  to  that  duty,  was  admirable 
preparation  for  producing  the  valuable  work  on  cholera,  which 
everywhere  exhibits  the  character  and  devotion  of  the  man. 

Dr.  Palmer  also  had  other  aspirations,  and  held  himself 
in  readiness  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  a professor  in  the 
University  of  Michigan,  for  which  the  time  spent  in  New  York 
and  Philadelphia  was  energetically  employed,  for  he  believed 
he  had  capacity,  and  a mission  in  behalf  of  others  seeking  to 
enter  the  profession  that  engaged  all  his  energies;  and  he  was 
willing  to  surrender  the  bright  prospects  opening  before  him 
in  Chicago,  after  these  five  years  of  ceaseless  activity,  for  the 
more  quiet  life  here,  because  of  the  opportunity  for  study  and 
the  enjoyment  of  imparting  truth  to  others,  helping  them  to 
the  intellectual  pleasure  of  education,  and  the  ability  to  com- 
fort and  bless  mankind. 

For  just  one-third  of  a century  have  Dr.  Palmer  and 
myself  been  colleagues  — fellow  workers  in  the  Department 
of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  in  this  University.  Our  first  meet- 
ing was  as  we  simultaneously  began  our  labors  here,  on  the 
first  of  October,  in  1854. 

This  brought  us  together  for  what  has  proved  an  unusu- 
ally long  period  of  labor.  Animated  by  a common  purpose, 
we  soon  became  friends,  and  during  these  more  than  thirty 
years  of  united  service,  though  sometimes  differing  as  to  the 
expediency  of  this  or  that  particular  measure,  nothing  has  ever 
disturbed  our  confidence;  and  the  recollection  of  our  pleasant 
and  harmonious  relations  will  permanently  remain  as  a fre- 
quent reminder  of  the  hearty  co-operation  in  all  that  could 


Memorial  Address. 


13 


promote  the  prosperity  of  the  department  of  the  University 
with  which  we  have  been  so  long  identified. 

As  Dr.  Palmer  had  the  benefit  of  several  years’  experience 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  he  entered  upon  his  duties 
with  a high  ideal  of  the  qualifications  of  a teacher  who  assumes 
the  position  of  an  instructor  of  those  who  are  to  become  the 
guardians  of  the  community  in  the  matter  of  public  and  indi- 
vidual health. 

Dr.  Palmer’s  connection  with  the  University  began  in 
1852,  when  he  was  appointed  Professor  of  Anatomy,  with 
the  expectation  that,  as  soon  as  the  slowly  accumulating  funds 
would  allow,  he  would  be  called  to  active  duty.  Meanwhile 
Professor  Gunn  taught  anatomy  and  surgery. 

In  view  of  this  anticipated  work,  his  devotion  to  the 
requisite  preparation  in  reviewing  and  perfecting  his  knowl- 
edge of  anatomy  was  laying  a good  foundation  for  the  earnest 
and  successful  work  he  was  destined  to  do  in  pathology  and 
practical  medicine. 

He  never  lectured  on  anatomy,  for  when  the  expected 
time  arrived  he  was  assigned  to  other  duty. 

Owing  to  a change  in  the  Faculty,  in  1854,  Dr.  Palmer 
was  appointed  Professor  of  Materia  Medica,  Therapeutics, 
and  Diseases  of  Women  and  Children.  For  the  ensuing  six 
years  he  gave  instruction,  with  most  complete  satisfaction,  in 
the  branches  here  indicated.  The  value  of  these  six  years’ 
experience  in  teaching  those  branches  will  not  be  over-estima- 
ted in  relation  to  his  future  work. 

The  death  of  Prof.  Samuel  Denton,  in  September,  1860, 
made  vacant  the  chair  of  Practice,  and  Dr.  Palmer  was  trans- 
ferred, and  became  Professor  of  Pathology  and  the  Practice 
of  Medicine,  which  professorship  he  has  occupied  for  the  last 
twenty-seven  years  with  a success  which  has  largely  contributed 
to  give  this  University  a reputation  wherever  medical  science 
is  taught  or  valued. 

The  few  days  before  the  opening  of  the  next  session 
afforded  no  time  to  seek  a new  professor,  and  to  avoid  unwise, 


14 


Memorial  Address. 


because  hasty,  action,  in  making  an  appointment,  it  was  arranged 
that  in  addition  to  his  new  duties,  he  should  continue  for  the 
session  to  lecture  on  materia  medica  and  therapeutics;  and  here 
was  illustrated  his  willingness  and  capacity  for  work,  as  well  as 
earnest  desire  that  the  instruction  of  the  session  should  be 
complete,  when  I state  that  a carefully  kept  record  of  daily 
duty  shows  that,  during  the  session  of  1860-61,  Dr.  Palmer 
gave  193  lectures,  while  the  usual  number  did  not  exceed  100. 
I deem  it  but  justice  to  say,  that  although  his  labor  was  nearly 
doubled,  and  he  thus  largely  contributed  to  save  to  the  Uni- 
versity the  salary  of  a professor,  his  reward  for  such  extra 
labor  never  exceeded  thanks,  and  the  gratitude  of  students. 

By  the  appointment  of  Prof.  S.  G.  Armor,  in  1861,  Dr. 
Palmer  was  enabled  to  devote  his  energies  to  the  more  com- 
plete development  of  his  own  department  of  labor,  which  he 
accomplished  with  such  success  as  to  be  an  important  element 
in  the  constantly  enlarging  reputation  of  the  Medical  College, 
whose  increasing  numbers  extended  the  name  and  fame  of  the 
University. 

Dr.  Palmer’s  interest  in  the  students  and  zeal  for  their 
improvement,  were  illustrated  in  devising  additional  means  of 
instruction  and  widening  the  range  of  their  acquirements,  and 
to  this  end  he  prepared,  and  in  the  evening  gave  some  lectures 
on  botany. 

His  powers  of  endurance  and  capacity  for  labor  seemed 
to  be  equalled  only  by  anxiety  to  employ  every  means  that 
could  promote  the  welfare  of  students,  and  he  appeared  never 
weary  in  well-doing,  and  was  what  I may  properly  call  a 
u minute  man,”  ever  ready  to  till  an  hour  made  vacant  by  ill- 
ness, or  some  mishap  of  a colleague. 

He  believed  in  carrying  out  the  programme  by  the  Faculty 
as  well  as  by  students,  an  example  of  fidelity,  characteristic  of 
the  man  in  all  official  duties. 

Students  from  the  University  go  east  as  well  as  west,  and 
one  who  graduated  here  in  1855,  remembering  his  ability  and 
fidelity,  promptly  acquiesced  in  the  suggestion  that  wdiile 


Memorial  Address. 


I 


15 


unoccupied  in  the  University,  he  might  be  secured  for  a pro- 
fessorship made  vacant  in  derangements  caused  by  the  war; 
and  as  a result  Dr.  Palmer  was  invited  to  give  the  lectures  on 
Materia  Medica  in  the  Berkshire  Medical  Institution  at  Pittsfield, 
Mass.,  in  the  fall  of  1863,  and  he  also  gave  the  cburse  on 
Practice  for  that  and  the  four  succeeding  years.  Probably  as 
a result  of  this  work  in  the  east,  in  1869  he  was  appointed 
to  the  chair  of  Practice  in  the  Medical  School  of  Maine,  in 
Bowdoin  College,  at  Brunswick.  He  continued  to  lecture 
there  with  great  satisfaction  till  the  extension  of  the  term  in 
this  institution  to  nine  months  required  his  presence  here, 
and  his  resignation  was  reluctantly  accepted  by  the  trustees  of 
Bowdoin  College. 

In  all  colleges  interruptions  of  labor  occur  by  reason  of 
sickness  or  death  among  its  members,  and  I recall  a time  when 
the  illness  of  Dr.  Sager  caused  an  interruption  of  his  work, 
and  Dr.  Palmer,  true  to  himself  and  the  institution  he  has 
served,  came  to  the  rescue,  and  by  extra  lectures,  cheerfully 
undertaken,  did  much  to  supplement  the  labor  interrupted,  and 
to  insure  satisfaction  in  that  important  department  of  instruc- 
tion, for  which  his  duties  during  the  first  six  years  proved  an 
admirable  preparation;  and  I may  appropriately  say  the  Uni- 
versity has  been  singularly  fortunate  in  having  a man,  so  fitted 
by  health,  varied  experience,  zeal  for  students’  welfare,  and 
love  of  work,  that  could  so  readily  and  so  successfully  take  up 
the  labor  so  required  by  the  failure  of  others. 

The  importance  of  extending  our  facilities  for  clinical 
instruction  was  fully  appreciated  by  Dr.  Palmer,  and  the  enter- 
prise received  his  cordial  support  and  co-operation;  and 
although  he  understood  that  his  individual  labor  might  be 
doubled  thereby,  his  zeal  in  this  direction  received  no  chill 
from  the  full  realization  of  this  fact,  and  the  Hdelity  of  his 
service  there  is  fully  attested  by  those  who  sometimes  found 
the  hours  prolonged,  while  for  him,  they  were  quite  generally 
too  short.  And  surely  no  man  has  ever  labored  more  earnestly 
than  he  to  make  certain  the  qualifications  of  those  whom  we 


16 


Memorial  Address. 


have  educated  and  sent  forth  bearing  the  honors  and  endorse- 
ment of  the  University.  I know  from  repeated  conversation 
with  him  the  high  value  he  placed  upon  bringing  student  and 
patient  face  to  face,  and  with  what  delight  he  improved  every 
opportunity  to  make  sure  that  the  student  had  more  than  a 
slight  acquaintance  with  every  important  disease. 

Indeed,  justice  to  his  efforts  in  this  direction  calls  for  the 
statement  that  in  1858  Dr.  Palmer  went  to  Detroit,  after  the 
session  closed  here,  and  for  some  months  taught  a class  of 
students  from  the  University,  at  St.  Mary’s  Hospital,  in  the 
hope  that  by  some  permanent  arrangement  there  adequate  pro- 
vision might  be  made  to  give  that  needed  instruction  to  all 
graduates  after  the  close  of  lectures  here.  The  desire  was, 
not  to  supersede  instruction  here,  but  to  supplement  it  by 
a special  post-graduate  training  in  the  directly  practical 
branches.  The  embarrassments  in  the  way  of  success  there 
could  not  be  overcome,  and  the  effort  was  not  resumed  another 
year.  In  1859  Dr.  Palmer  spent  several  months  in 
Europe  in  medical  observation  and  improvement,  the  results 
of  which  he  highly  prized,  and  by  which  great  numbers  have 
profited. 

One  who  recalls  the  curriculum  in  most  medical  colleges 
thirty  or  forty  years  ago,  and  contrasts  it  with  our  present 
long  course,  will  at  once  appreciate  the  urgent  reasons  for 
extending  our  term  from  six  to  nine  months.  The  Univer- 
sity took  the  lead  in  college  sessions  of  long  terms  by  making 
our  course  six  months  at  its  organization  in  1850,  and,  having 
added  to  the  original  requirements  for  students  study  in  the 
anatomical  laboratory  and  in  the  chemical,  and  at  a later  period 
in  the  histological,  none  of  which  were  originally  ciemanded, 
the  urgency  of  an  extension  of  the  term  became  more  mani- 
fest; and  not  without  some  apprehension  as  to  the  result,  it 
was  finally  decided  in  1878,  that  the  session  should  be  extended 
to  the  full  nine  months  now  required  in  all  departments  of  the 
University. 

Although  this  rendered  necessary,  on  the  part  of  Dr. 


Memorial  Address. 


IT 


Palmer,  the  surrender  of  remunerative  labor  elsewhere,  he 
not  only  cheerfully  acquiesced,  but  was  foremost  in  urging 
the  extension,  and  ever  rejoiced  at  the  opportunity  thus 
secured,  to  give  fuller  instruction  in  some  subjects  than  here- 
tofore, or  to  take  up  some  new  phase  of  our  ever-widening 
science,  and  only  those  who  know  his  zeal  to  have  this  depart- 
ment fully  in  the  .front  rank  in  everything,  are  aware  how 
fully  he  was  devoted  to  the  work  of  promoting  its  interests, 
and  how  near  the  truth  Was  the  playful  remark  sometimes 
made,  that  he  was  wedded  to  the  University.  His  love 
of  this  service  originally  induced  him  to  surrender  his  pros- 
pects for  professional  success  in  Chicago  and  identify  himself 
with  this,  then  young,  institution. 

As  I am  the  only  remaining  member  of  the  old  Faculty  on 
duty,  and  as  we  are  commemorating  the  services  of  one  so 
long  a member  of  the  same,  it  seems  eminently  appropriate  to 
recall  in  this  connection,  by  a brief  notice,  the  names  and  ser- 
vices of  the  men  who,  with  him,  taught  in  the  University  and 
contributed  by  a like  fidelity  of  service  and  earnest  work  to 
the  prosperity  and  reputation  of  the  Medical  College,  and  i 
name  them  mainly  in  the  order  in  which  their  life  work  was 
completed.  They  were  true  and  earnest  fnen,  of  whom  it  is  a 
pleasure  to  speak  in  wTords  of  commendation,  and  where  more 
properly  than  as  associated  with  the  man  we  honor  and  mourn 
to-day  ? 

The  first  was  Dr.  Samuel  Denton,  who  participated  in  the 
original  organization  of  the  Medical  Department,  and  for  ten 
years  held  the  chair  of  Practical  Medicine,  and  who,  for  that 
time,  bore  an  honorable  part  in  shaping  the  policy  and  giving 
reputation  to  the  school  which  was  destined  soon  to  create, 
by  its  success,  so  rapidly  rising  to  fame,  no  little  sensation  in 
the  medical  world.  In  September,  1860,  he  closed  his  ten 
years  of  successful  service  in  the  college.  He  died  in  Ann 
Arbor,  his  home  for  many  years. 

Dr.  Henry  S.  Cheever  was  a graduate  of  the  University 
in  the  Department  of  Literature,  Science,  and  the  Arts,  in 


18 


Memorial  Address. 


1863,  and  of  the  Department  of  Medicine  and  Surgery, 
in  1866.  He  became,  in  succession,  assistant  in  the  Chemical 
Laboratory  in  1866,  Demonstrator  of  Anatomy  in  1867,  Pro- 
fessor of  Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics  in  1868,  to  which 
was  added,  in  1872,  the  Professorship  of  Physiology,  and 
after  an  eminently  successful  career  of  ten  years,  was  com- 
pelled, on  account  of  failing  health,  to  resign  his  position  in 
1876,  and  died  in  March,  1877,  at  the  early  age  of  39,  with  a 
record  of  faithful  service  and  eminently  successful  teaching  of 
a difficult  branch.  He  is  remembered  with  delight  by  the  hun- 
dreds who,  by  his  intelligent  and  zealous  labor,  creditable  alike 
to  himself  and  the  College,  were  stimulated  to  higher  achieve- 
ments, still  bearing  noble  fruit  in  the  service  of  humanity. 

The  next  to  pass  away  was  Professor  Abram  Sager,  who, 
though  compelled  by  failing  health  to  resign  his  professorship, 
so  that  he  did  not  die  in  the  service  of  the  State,  deserves  hon- 
orable mention  here,  because  of  a service  in  the  University  from 
1812,  till  the  time  of  his  resignation  in  1875,  a faithful  labor 
of  thirty-three  years.  Of  this  long  period,  twenty-five  years 
were  employed  in  the  Department  of  Medicine  and  Surgery, 
where  his  wealth  of  learning  and  wide  medical  scholarship, 
and  eminent  service  in  his  department  of  instruction,  did  much 
to  give  character  to  the  institution  and  qualify  many  to  do 
work  which  has  largely  blessed  humanity  and  reflected  honor 
upon  their  alma  mater.  He  died  in  August,  1877,  in  the  sixty- 
seventh  year  of  his  age. 

In  1869  Professor  A.  B.  Crosby,  an  accomplished  scholar 
and  skillful  surgeon,  became  a member  of  this  Faculty,  and  for 
two  years  made  the  lecture  room  attractive,  where  he  held  the 
undivided  attention  of  the  crowds  that  were  charmed  alike  by 
his  matter  and  his  manner.  After  such  brief  service 
here,  all  too  brief  according  to  the  wishes  of  those  who 
rejoiced  in  the  prosperity  of  the  University,  his  reputation 
drew  him  to  a large  city,  where  he  finished  his  life  work  in 
1875,  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  leaving  there,  as  well 
as  here,  a name  and  fame,  well  and  justly  earned. 


Memorial  Address. 


19 


William  Warren  Greene  graduated  from  this  Department 
in  1855,  and  by  liis  brilliant  talents  and  zeal  soon  entered  upon 
a career  of  such  unusual  success  that  he  was  invited  to  a pro- 
fessorship of  Surgery  in  an  eastern  college,  and  on  the  resig- 
nation of  Professor  Gunn  in  1867,  he  was  appointed  to  the 
chair  of  Surgery  in  this  institution,  and  in  one  year  of  duty 
established  a reputation  as  a lecturer  and  an  operator  seldom 
attained  by  so  young  a man,  which  is  remembered  with  great 
interest  by  all  who  shared  the  benefit  of  his  teaching.  His 
pre-eminent  talents  were  shown  by  the  rare  combination  which 
enabled  him  to  lecture  with  exceptional  clearness  and  ease, 
make  an  operation  and  conduct  a clinic,  so  that  students  used 
to  say  he  excels  in  each.  His  life  work  was  completed  in 
1881,  in  the  forty-third  year  of  his  age. 

In  1861  Professor  Samuel  G.  Armor  became  a member 
of  the  Medical  Faculty,  and  speedily  justified  the  wisdom  of 
his  selection  by  the  interest  felt  in  materia  medica  and  the  insti- 
tutes of  medicine,  which  in  his  hands  meant  applied  physiology. 
His  enthusiastic  earnestness,  his  interest  in  the  students, 
his  profound  knowledge  of  the  subjects  he  was  called  to  teach, 
speedily  made  him  a favorite  with  students  and  the  Faculty, 
who,  with  entire  unanimity  regretted  his  resignation  in 
1868  for  what  promised  a wider  field  of  usefulness,  in  the 
offered  facilities  for  clinical  teaching,  while  in  the  University 
we  had  very  little.  His  genial  manner  and  earnestness  secured 
him  life-long  friends  of  all  who  listened  to  his  instruction. 

Dr.  Armor  was  a clear,  logical  thinker  and  teacher,  who 
'classified  truths,  and  made  them  mentally  tangible,  while  he 
charmed  the  listener  by  his  manner.  Few  men  have  attained 
a wider  fame  as  a teacher  than  Professor  Armor,  who  died  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y..  in  October,  1885,  in  the  sixty-eightli  year 
of  his  age. 

Of  those  who  have  aided  to  make  the  College  what  it  has 
been  and  still  remains,  who  have  finished  their  course,  there 
yej  remains,  what  I may  almost  call  the  pioneer  in  all  this 
enterprise.  Dr.  Moses  Gunn  received  his  diploma  in  my  pres- 


20 


Memorial  Address. 


ence,  in  January,  1846,  at  Geneva  College.  He  was  an  Ontario 
County  man,  educated  in  Canandaigua,  both  in  classical  and 
medical  studies. 

As  an  illustration  of  his  enterprise,  I mention  that  he 
left  his  home  on  the  Monday  following  the  day  of  his  gradu- 
ation, and  arrived  in  Ann  Arbor  on  the  6th  day  of  February, 
and  in  two  weeks  from  the  day  he  left  home  he  had  made 
arrangements,  and  commenced  a course  of  lectures  on  anatomy 
in  this  city,  for  which  his  previous  earnest  devotion  to  dissec- 
tion had  made  admirable  preparation,  and  that'  thorough  study 
ever  after  inspired  the  confidence  with  which  he  undertook  for- 
midable operations,  with  a self-reliance,  based  on  accurate 
knowledge. 

Here  he  began  his  professional  life  and  surgical  career. 
His  facility  in  lecturing,  and  manifest  acquaintance  with  the 
science  he  had  undertaken  to  teach  attracted  attention,  and 
marked  him  as  no  ordinary  man,  and  on  succeeding  seasons 
he  repeated  lectures  on  anatomy,  accompanied  by  dissections 
and  demonstrations,  the  first  ever  given  in  Ann  Arbor,  if  not 
in  Michigan. 

The  Department  of  Arts  and  Sciences  was  already  in 
successful  operation.  The  charter  provided  for  a medical  col- 
lege. Dr.  Gunn  had  demonstrated  his  ability  to  teach,  and 
soon  engaged  with  Drs.  Sager  and  Douglas,  who  were  already 
members  of  the  Faculty,  in  the  Department  of  Arts  and 
Sciences,  in  securing  the  organization  of  the  Department 
of  Medicine  and  Surgery.  As  a result  of  these  efforts,  and 
the  presence  of  men  ready  for  the  contemplated  work,  the  Re- 
gents proceeded  to  organize  the  College,  and  the  first  course 
of  lectures  was  commenced  on  the  first  of  October,  1850,  and 
was  given  with  a success  that  astonished  everyone  as  they 
became  acquainted  with  the  fact  that  ninety  students  attended 
the  first  course  of  lectures  in  this  new  college. 

For  four  years  he  taught  anatomy  and  surgery  with  a suc- 
cess that  placed  him  at  once  in  the  front  rank  of  teachers.  # I 
may  say  of  him,  he  had  a u teaching  diathesis He  grasped 


Memorial  Address. 


21 


truth  clearly,  believed  it  firmly,  and  stated  it  impressively,  so 
that,  as  has  been  said,  with  him  truth  had  horns,  there  is  some- 
thing to  lay  hold  of,  something  to  hold  on  to.  One  is  sure  he 
believes  it ; and  is  convinced  that  he  knows  it. 

In  1852  Dr.  Gunn  removed  to  Detroit,  that  he  might  have 
a larger  field  for  surgical  practice,  and  thus  do  greater  service 
to  the  institution  and  give  to  students  the  benefits  of  a wider 
experience.  He  resided  in  Detroit,  and  came  to  Ann  Arbor 
to  lecture  till  1867,  when  he  resigned  and  removed  to  Chicago, 
where  he  spent  twenty  years  as  Professor  of  Surgery  in  Push 
Medical  College,  and  in  successful  surgical  practice  in  that  city. 
His  honorable  and  useful  life  closed  Nov.  4,  1887,  in  the  sixty- 
sixth  year  of  his  age,  after  almost  forty-two  years  of  service 
in  his  profession. 

Dr.  Palmer’s  readiness  to  devise  extra  means  or  plans  for 
benefiting  students  is  well  known,  not  asking  how  little  will 
be  satisfactory,  but  how  much  can  we  do  in  their  behalf,  and 
I should  neglect  a pleasant  duty,  if  I failed  in  this  connection 
to  mention  his  hearty  approval  of  every  suggestion  and  effort, 
originating  with  others,  for  improving  our  teaching  facilities. 

I have  spoken  of  the  members  of  the  old  Faculty  (and 
others  who  have  passed  away),  and  as  I am  writing  it  seems 
eminently  proper  to  speak  of  the  only  one  besides  myself  that 
lingers,  and  he  perhaps  near  the  gate,  one  who  was  appointed 
in  the  University  in  1845,  and  to  whose  genius  and  energy  the 
institution  is  indebted  for  the  inception  and  construction  of  the 
chemical  laboratory,  almost  the  pioneer  effort  in  this  country, 
which  Dr.  Douglas  planned  in  1855. 

I well  remember  a Faculty  meeting  in  that  year,  where 
the  interests  of  more  complete  education  were  considered.  I 
remember  the  unfolding  of  a plan  to  furnish  facilities  for  the 
practical  study  of  chemistry.  The  plan  seemed  feasible,  and 
all  agreed  was  desirable.  We  were  asked  if  the  Faculty  would 
favor  the  enterprise;  all  approved  the  effort,  and  none  more 
heartily  than  the  man  we  honor  to-day.  We  anticipated  its 
future  success,  and  an  advance  beyond  our  student  days.  A 


22 


Memorial  Address. 


small  room  in  the  Medical  College  admitted  six  students  the 
first  year.  The  next  year  saw  over  a dozen  crowded  into  the 
basement  of  the  Medical  College,  a place  so  totally  unfit  that 
in  1856  the  first  laboratory  building  was  erected,  which  pro- 
vided accommodations  for  fifty  or  sixty  students.  This  was 
speedily  and  fully  occupied.  Again  and  again  was  the  building 
enlarged,  till  by  the  latest  additions  nearly  three  hundred  may 
be  engaged  at  the  same  time  in  practical  work. 

Every  member  of  the  Faculty  rejoiced  in  its  great  success, 
and  gave  due  credit  to  Dr.  Douglas,  and  none  more  heartily 
than  Dr.  Palmer,  who  frequently  utilized  its  facilities  for  inves- 
tigating certain  forms  of  disease  requiring  the  means  here 
provided. 

I have  seen  another  laboratory  develop  from  very  humble 
beginnings.  It  began  in  a small  room  with  two  microscopes 
as  the  only  equipment,  but  this  awakened  interest  in  the  study 
of  tissues,  and  on  the  6th  day  of  February,  1877,  a legisla- 
tive committee,  on  a visit  to  the  University,  while  going 
around  the  building,  entered  the  room  where  half  a dozen  stu- 
dents were  at  work,  with  microscopes  borrowed  for  a few  days. 

Happily,  here  was  an  opportunity  that  an  intelligent 
committee  could  appreciate,  and  the  appropriation  which  fol- 
lowed made  possible  the  establishment  of  a histological  lab- 
oratory worthy  of  the  name. 

With  the  means  thus  provided  microscopes  were  purchased, 
a room  was  fitted,  for  use,  tables  and  needed  facilities  were 
secured,  and  an  instructor  appointed  to  direct  the  work  and  give 
proper  shape  to  the  new  undertaking. 

From  repeated  conference  with  Dr.  Palmer  in  relation  to 
all  these,  I became  fully  aware  of  his  deep  interest  in  the 
enterprise,  and  desire  for  its  prosperity,  and  his  cordial  co-op- 
eration from  the  inception  of  the  plan. 

The  recognized  success  of  the  histological  laboratory, 
only  stimulated  the  desire  for  the  complement  of  that,  viz., 
the  pathological,  the  third  laboratory.  The  one  had  made 
familiar  the  normal  tissues  of  the  body,  and  it  remained  for 


Memorial  Address. 


23 


this,  the  pathological  laboratory,  to  carry  to  completion  Dr.  Pal- 
mer’s urgent  desire  for  all  the  facilities  needed  for  studying 
every  form  of  disease  that  can  be  elucidated  by  the  skilled 
hand  and  trained  eye  of  the  experienced  microscopist. 

We  ail  know  how  zealously  he  sought  the  means  of  carry- 
ing out  his  ideal  plan  for  studying  all  the  changes  in  the 
tissues  normal  to  the  human  body,  and  all  the  irregular  growths 
engrafted  upon  these  by  accident  or  disease,  and  where,  also, 
bacteriology  can  be  studied,  and  where  every  other  agent  that 
the  microscope  can  find,  shall  be  compelled  to  reveal  the  mys- 
tery of  its  mischief.  For  this  he  thought  and  planned,  till  finally 
the  hope  came  so  near  succeeding  that  it  lightened  the  load  of 
his  later  days,  for  only  the  week  before  his  lecturing  was  done 
we  talked  of  the  present  and  the  future  of  this,  in  which  he 
took  so  deep  an  interest. 

1 know  from  personal  intercourse  how  he  prized  the 
results  of  the  two  laboratories  in  successful  operation,  and 
how  he  anticipated,  with  pleasure,  the  success  of  the  third. 
In  all  these  I am  sure  that  none  but  the  noblest  motives  stimu- 
lated his  ambition.  He  realized  the  imperfections  of  his  early 
education,  and  sought  all  the  facilities  of  the  three  laboratories 
to  widen  the  range  of  study  for  the  students  of  these  and  the 
coming  years. 

It  is  a' pleasure  to  bear  testimony  to  the  zeal  of  Dr.  Pal- 
mer in  all  his  University  work.  In  the  lecture  room  he  sought 
earnestly  to  impress  truth,  to  enable  others  to  see  it  as  clearly 
as  he  saw  it,  and  to  establish  principles  to  guide  through  all 
the  labyrinths  of  disease. 

As  a writer  he  had  capacity  to  present  his  views  in  clear 
and  forcible  language.  He  thought  clearly,  and  expressed  his 
well-considered  views  so  as  to  leave  no  occasion  for  misunder- 
standing him. 

Dr.  Palmer  has  been  an  active  participant  by  papers  and 
discussion,  in  county , state,  national  and  international  medical 
associations , and  Prof.  N.  S.  Davis,  the  President  of  the 
Ninth  International  Medical  Congress,  in  noticing  his  death, 


24 


Memorial  Address. 


in  a recent  number  of  the  Journal  of  the  American  Medical 
Association,  said  of  him  : “ A conscientious  and  skillful  prac- 

titioner, an  able  writer,  an  earnest  and  successful  teacher,  and 
above  all,  a most  estimable  citizen  and  Christian.  For  more 
than  forty  years  he  has  tilled  an  important  place  in  the  profes- 
sion of  this  country.  One  of  the  last  prominent  services  he 
rendered  the  profession  was  in  ably  discharging  his  duties  as 
President  of  the  Section  of  Pathology  in  the  Ninth  Interna- 
tional Medical  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  though  in 
impaired  health  at  the  time.  Ripe  in  years  and  in  fruitful 
labors,  he  has  truly  entered  into  rest.” 

At  the  last  meeting  of  the  American  Medical  Association, 
at  Chicago,  he  was  chosen  Chairman  of  the  Section  on  Prac- 
tice for  the  next  meeting  at  Cincinnati. 

Besides  the  miscellaneous  work  done  as  editor  of  the 
medical  journals  for  a number  of  years,  Dr.  Palmer  published 
several  pamphlets,  among  which  are  “ A full  report  of  the  Chi- 
cago Cholera  Epidemic  in  1852,”  *one  on  “ Asiatic  Cholera,” 
based  on  personal  observation,  and  one  “On  Sulphate  of  Qui- 
nine,” for  which  his  early  Michigan  experience  was  valuable 
preparation.  “The  Temperance  Teaching^  of  Science,”  is  a 
neat  and  useful  volume. 

The  publication  on  which  his  reputation  as  an  author  will 
rest  was  “The  Science  and  Practice  of  Medicine,”  which 
appeared  in  1882. 

I regard  it  a fortunate  circumstance  that  Dr.  Palmer  had 
the  training  and  experience  that  I have  noticed.  He  had  ten 
years  of  general  practice,  seeing  all  kinds  of  disease  in  a new 
country,  which  compelled  him  to  be  self-reliant ; his  training, 
therefore,  was  general,  not  one-sided,  confined  to  a certain 
class  of  diseases  only.  He  was  of  necessity  a student.  He 
then  prepared  to  teach  anatomy.  Next  he'  taught  materia 
medica  for  several  years.  He  then  lectured  on  the  practice  of 
medicine  for  twenty  years ; saw  diseases  in  various  localities, 
and,  what  1 deem  of  great  importance,  his  knowledge  of  dis- 
ease and  treatment  was  not  based  exclusively,  or  largely,  on 


Memorial  Address. 


25 


the  class  of  diseases  seen  in  hospitals,  often  the  results  of 
vicious  habits,  or  inadequate  nourishment,  but  among  a popu- 
lation, largely  living  in  comparative  comfort,  and  to  a great 
extent  free  from  the  depressing  influence  of  dissipation  and 
unsanitary  conditions. 

It  appears  to  me  rational  that  a book  written  from  such  a 
point  of  observation  and  experience,  will  be  a safer  guide  in 
the  practice  of  medicine,  among  a population  similarly  situ- 
ated, than  one  whose  lessons  are  largely  based  on  obser- 
vation of  disease  and  treatment  at  the  opposite  extreme  of 
conditions  in  life. 

Dr.  Palmer  has  been  a life-long  advocate  of  temperance, 
or  I may  say  of  total  abstinence  from  all  alcoholic  stimulants 
and  narcotics.  This  has  led  him  carefully  to  observe  their 
influence  on  the  human  system,  and  if  he  has  sometimes  taken 
extreme  views,  he  has  had  ample  opportunities  to  study  their 
use  and  non-use  in  practice.  His  positive  views,  with  their 
earnest  and  persistent  defence,  shared  by  many  able  men  in 
other  places  and  professions,  compel  attention.  The  subject 
of  such  frequent  use  of  alcohol  has  been  investigated,  and 
the  dangers  of  a remedy,  often  more  surely  fatal  than  the  dis- 
ease, have  been  held  up  to  public  gaze. 

I think  it  a boon  to  the  profession  to  have  a work  on 
practice,  wherein  a man,  emancipated  from  all  reverence  for 
alcohol  as  a universal  panacea,  has,  in  earnest  language,  set 
before  the  profession  well-considered  views,  based  on  fifty 
years  of  intelligent  observation  of  diseases  and  their  remedies. 

The  eminent  Dr.  Kichardson,  of  London,  in  an  address 
on  “The  Scientific  Basis  of  the  Temperance  Deformation,”  in 
quoting  certain  views  of  Dr.  Palmer  on  alcohol,  speaks  of  his 
work  on  Practice  as  “the  most  truly  practical  volumes  that 
have  appeared  on  the  subject  since  Watson’s  famous  lectures.” 
He  also  says  “I  often  turn  to  your  Practice  of  Medicine,  and 
always  with  satisfaction  and  delight.  It  is  a fine  classical  and 
scholarly  work.”  That  is  high  endorsement. 


26 


Memorial  Address. 


As  a physician  putting  in  practice  the  principles  he  has 
so  earnestly  taught,  he  was  a success.  That  early  experience 
developed  self-confidence.  The  general  practice  compelled 
wide  research  in  the  realm  of  disease,  induced  him  to  consult  the 
best  authors,  which  he  read  with  diligence,  widening  the  range 
of  mental  vision,  giving  broader  culture,  enabling  him  to  see 
truth  from  many  sides,  and  developing  a capacity  and  the 
habit  of  weighing  evidence,  and  determining  the  relative  value 
of  the  symptoms  of  disease  demanding  a diagnosis.  In 
examining  a patient  he  was  methodical  and  thorough,  and 
wdiere  there  was  obscurity  he  did  not  hastily  decide.  He 
sought  all  the  evidence  that  inherited  traits,  personal  habits, 
and  surroundings  could  supply  to  clear  a doubt.  He  interro- 
gated every  agent  that  could  be  held  responsible  for  evil. 

Hor  did  he  rest  content  with  a pill  or  a powder.  He  sought 
to  correct  habits  and  practices  that  were  in  fault.  He  believed 
prevention  better  than  cure.  He  did  not  deem  duty  ended  by 
relief  of  present  pain.  He  aimed  to  accomplish  more.  He  was 
a faithful  monitor  in  times  when  conscious  suffering  gives  the 
unselfish  advice  of  a medical  attendant  an  influence  for  good, 
otherwise  disregarded.  Besides  these  qualities  named,  lie  had 
a sympathetic  nature — he  had  sympathy  with  the  sufferer. 
It  was  more  than  a hurried  call  and  cold-hearted  word  and 
hasty  prescription.  His  cheerful  and  encouraging  manner  was 
often  more  than  medicine,  it  was  courage,  it  was  hope,  it  was 
mental  stimulus,  it  was  an  uplifting  influence,  leaving  sunshine 
for  darkness,  cheerfulness  for  despair. 

Such  was  Dr.  Palmer  in  full  vigor,  before  disease  had 
made  its  impress  upon  him,  which  often  comes  so  insidiously 
that,  like  the  waning  of  the  day,  we  are  startled  that  night  is 
upon  us.  I have  sketched  his  career  as  a worthy  example  for 
those  who  anxiously  plan  for  the  future. 

At  the  outbreak  of  our  late  civil  war  Dr.  Palmer  was 
early  in  the  field  as  surgeon  of  the  second  regiment  that  went 
from  this  State,  and  saw  almost  the  first  blood  shed  in  that  pro- 
tracted contest.  He  returned  to  his  duties  here  at  the  opening 


27 


Memorial  Address. 

\ 

of  the  session,  and  subsequently  went  to  the  army  only  on 
some  emergency  demanding  an  increase  of  medical  attend- 
ance. His  services  in  that  great  struggle  were  mainly  in  the 
matter  of  educating  others,  numbers  of  whom  went  from  the 
college  to  duty  in  the  field  or  in  the  hospitals,  many  of  whom 
bear  sad  traces  of  the  perils  and  hardships  endured,  while 
others  swell  the  roll  call  of  the  dead. 

After  an  unbroken  service  in  the  University  for  twenty- 
five  years,  in  1879  Hr.  Palmer  obtained  leave  of  absence  for 
a year,  that  he  might  again  visit  Europe  for  rest,  pleasure,  and 
professional  observation,  having  in  mind  his  work  on  Practice, 
which  was  published  in  1882.  In  this  anticipated  rest  he  was 
sadly  disappointed,  for  the  provision  made  to  supply  his  place 
failed  and  he  crossed  the  ocean  in  mid-winter  that  he  might  per- 
form his  full  duty  as  announced,  and  no  charge  of  neglect  of 
assumed  responsibility  be  possible  from  any  failure  on  his  part. 

I have  spoken  of  Dr.  Palmer  as  a teacher,  as  a practi- 
tioner, and  as  an  earnest  worker  in  whatever  duty  he  engaged. 
What  shall  I say  of  him  as  a citizen?  His  life  has  been  an 
open  book,  known  and  read  of  all.  For  over  thirty  years  he 
has  lived  and  done  his  life  work  in  the  midst  of  us. 

On  all  the  great  moral  questions  of  the  day  he  has  had  clear 
and  positive  convictions.  He  could  not  fail  to  witness  the 
ruin  of  intemperance  all  along  the  pathway  of  professional  and 
domestic  life;  and,  seeing  fashion  working  destruction  to  the 
noblest  and  the  best,  he  refused  to  follow  the  fashion  and  had  the 
manly  independence  to  oppose  its  demands;  and,  seeing  the  over- 
mastering power  of  appetite,  he  has  persistently  opposed  nurs- 
ing and  encouraging  an  appetite  for  any  agent  whose  influence 
is  evil  and  only  evil. 

He  saw  the  danger  of  kindling  a fire  for  the  pleasure  or 
glory  of  extinguishing  the  same,  and,  knowing  how  desire 
gro'ws  by  gratifying,  he  advised  against  the  gratification.  His 
knowledge  of  the  human  system  and  his  reverence  for  the 
health-giving  laws  of  the  Lavymaker  led  him  to  oppose  with 


28 


Memorial  Address. 


sincerity  and  persistency  the  habitual  use  of  an  agent  more 
destructive  than  the  sword  or  pestilence. 

As  laws  are  demanded  to  restrain  and  punish  crimes 
against  property  and  life,  so  he  believed  in  repressing  prac- 
tices full  of  peril  to  others,  which  reason  and  a sense  of  jus- 
tice cannot  control. 

He  could  not  be  blind  to  the  results  of  administering 
alcohol  as  a remedy  for  disease.  Hence  his  constant  opposition 
to  the  indiscriminate  or  common  use  of  a remedy  whose  effects 
were  worse  than  the  disease.  He  occupied  a position  in  the 
front  rank  of  reform  for  the  evils  that  affect  humanity,  the 
remedies  for  which  he  urged  by  precept  and  example. 

Neither  could  he,  as  a student  of  disease  and  its  remedy, 
fail  to  witness  the  terrible  results  of  indulging  in  the  use  of 
any  unnatural  stimulant  or  sedative.  He  believed  the  habitual 
use  of  either  a crime  against  the  body,  a harm  to  the  man 
wlio-indulges  in  their  use,  almost  certain  to  come  by  and  by, 
with  a demand  of  a penalty  for  the  damage  done,  either 
against  the  head , the  heart , or  the  conscience , so  that  the 
throne  of  reason  dies  a premature  death,  or  the  heart  stops 
without  recognized  warning,  or  the  conscience  refuses  to  stay 
the  hand  of  violence,  that  carries  the  suicide  to  an  end  forbid 
den  alike  by  reason  and  revelation. 

Dr.  Palmer  was  a firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  Chris- 
tianity* and  was  interested  in  all  the  enterprises  of  the  day  for 
extending  the  influence  of  Christian  principles  over  the  human 
race,  and  as  an  active  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church  par- 
ticipated in  all  its  movements  for  doing  good,  whether  here  or 
elsewhere  ; whether  in  teaching  a Bible  class  among  its  mem- 
bers, or  contributing  towards  the  construction  of  Hobart  Hall, 
as  a means  of  doing  good  to  others.  By  precept  and  example 
he  would  commend  the  religion  he  professed.  His  religion 
was  more  than  a creed.  It  was  a life,  and  as  that  heart  ceased 
to  beat,  it  marked  the  close  of  a life  worthy  to  be  commended 
in  its  aims  and  its  results  to  the  careful  consideration  of  those 
who  honor  this  occasion  by  their  presence.  It  was  a rounded, 


Memorial  Address. 


29 


a completed  life.  I do  not  claim  perfection  for  him.  Perfec- 
tion seldom  dwells  with  humanity..  He  had  noble  qualities 
which  we  approve  and  commend.  He  was  ambitious.  A man 
without  ambition  will  be  a failure.  He  was  earnest , and  the 
earnest  man  wins  in  the  race.  He  was  industrious , and  such  a 
man  succeeds  by  using  the  opportunities  that  come  to  him  and  that 
he  overtakes.  He  was  prompt,  and  did  duty  when  duty  came. 
He  was  self-reliant , and  he  found  it  indispensable  in  times  of 
trial.  He  was  sympathetic,  he  craved  sympathy  and  shared  it 
with  others.  He  was  generous  in  giving  service  to  the  poor  and 
needy.  Many  a student,  struggling  with  adversity,  shared  his 
earnings,  and  gratefully  praises  his  generous  kindness. 

He  was  hind.  He  had  a kindly  nature.  He  rejoiced  in 
the  happiness  of  others.  It  was  an  element  in  his  own,  to 
assist  others.  He  loved  to  be  obliging  to  others,  and  of  this 
I need  no  better  evidence  than  that  his  last  related  deed  of 
kindness  was  that  he  rose  from  his  bed  of  suffering  to  oblige 
another,  who  had  no  special  claim  upon  him,  by  writing  an 
introduction  to  friends  in  Europe,  for  a gentleman  going  there. 
And  it  was  the  last  line  he  wrote,  and  as  he  signed  his  name, 
the  pen  dropped  from  that  trembling  hand  forever. 

“ Golden  grain  from  harvest  ripe 
Angel  reapers  gather  in; 

Joy  above,  but  grief  below, 

Where  the  reaper’s  steps  have  been.” 


